your curiosity
less speedily, but, after the delightful entertainment you gave us, my
Lord Burgrave, one becomes merciful. So you shall hear how I, as wise as
the serpent, craftily forced this haughty knight"--she tapped Heinz
Schorlin's arm with her riding whip--"and you, too, Jungfrau Ortlieb,
whose pardon I now entreat, to help me win the bet. No offence, noble
sirs! But this bet was what compelled me to drag you all from Kadolzburg
and its charms so early, and induce you to attend me on the reckless ride
through the moonlit night. Now accept the thanks of a lady whose heart is
grateful; for your obedience helped me win the wager. Look yonder at my
handsome, submissive knight, Sir Heinz Schorlin, so rich in every virtue.
I commanded, him, on pain of my anger, to meet me at midnight at the
entrance of our quarters--that is, the entry of the Ortlieb mansion; and
to this modest and happy betrothed bride (may she pardon the madcap!) I
represented how it troubled me and wounded my timid delicacy to enter so
late at night, accompanied only by gentlemen, the house which so
hospitably sheltered us, and go to my sleeping room, though I should not
fear the Sultan and his mamelukes, if with this in my hand"--she motioned
to her riding whip--"and my dear father at my side, I stood on my own
feet which, though by no means small, are well-shod and resolute. Yet, as
we are apt to measure others by our own standard, the timid, decorous
girl believed me, and poor Cordula, who indeed brought only her maids and
no female guardian, and therefore must dispense with being received on
her return by a lady capable of commanding respect, did not appeal in
vain to the charitable feelings of her beautiful housemate. She promised
faithfully to come down into the entry, when the horses approached, to
receive the poor lamb, surrounded by lynxes, wild-cats, foxes, and
wolves, and lead it into the safe fold--if one can call this stately
house by such a name. Both Sir Heinz Schorlin and Jungfrau Elizabeth
Ortlieb kept their word and joined each other here--to their extreme
amazement, I should suppose, as to my knowledge they never met before--to
receive me, and thus had an interview which, however loudly they may
contradict it, I call a nocturnal meeting. But my wager, fair child, is
won, and tomorrow you will deliver to me the exquisite carved ivory
casket, while I shall keep my bracelet."

Here she paused, paying no heed to the merry threats, excla